Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Social Fund Maternity and Funeral Expenses (General) Regulations 1987 (the principal Regulations).

Regulations 2, 3(1), 4, 5 and 7 of these Regulations respectively amend regulations 3 (interpretation), 5 (entitlement to a maternity payment), 6 (persons affected by a trade dispute), 7 (entitlement to a funeral payment) and 10 (assessment of capital) of the principal Regulations in consequence of the coming into force of new schemes made under the Social Security Act 1986 for income support, family credit and housing benefit.

Regulations 3(1) and 5(a) also simplify the requirement as to the time at which a person must be on a qualifying benefit in order to be entitled to a maternity or funeral payment. Regulation 3(2) of these Regulations prescribes £85 instead of £80 for maternity payments by further amending regulation 5 of the principal Regulations. Regulation 6 of these Regulations, by amending regulation 9 of the principal Regulations (effect of capital), also makes new provision for disregarding capital borrowed to pay for funeral costs.

These Regulations are made under provisions of the Social Security Act 1986 which have not yet been in force for twelve months; they are, accordingly, exempt by section 61(5) of the Social Security Act 1986 from reference to the Social Security Advisory Committee and have not been so referred.